Pics: Daya Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (CLP)
Mangalore, Oct 19: Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy and Vigneshwara Graminabivraddi Seva Samiti Padu organized ‘Tuluvera Minadana’ at Padu Badinadi Daivastana on Sunday October 19.
The event began with the lighting of the lamp and an invocation to God.
In his inaugural speech, Sandesh Kumar Shetty, managing director of Agraja Group, said, “Programmes like this are spreading the message of Tulu culture and tradition to the new generation. It’s indeed sad to hear that the new generation is spending more time on new food habits and games but has forgotten our traditional games. This ‘Tuluvera Minadana’ is an attempt to keep the culture alive and pass it to the new generation.”
In his presidential speech, Walter Nandalike, editor-in-chief, Daijiworld.com, said, “Konkani is my mother tongue but the second language I learnt is Tulu. Tulu has no caste, creed, or religion. Today’s programme is indeed well-organized and it takes me back to my childhood memories when I used to play beside the stream. It’s easy to organize a programme like this here as we receive rain but the same programme was organized in Muscat in a desert. That is the impact of these programmes organized in Padu. There was a break of four years in this programme and I am ready to extend all support to permit this programme be arranged every year without a break.”
Mangalore North MLA B A Moideen Bava said, “Today's programme takes us to past culture, tradition, and practices of our ancestors. In the past, people used to live in joint families but now children are unaware of their relatives. A programme like this will bring together and contribute towards knowing each other in a better way. I have to attend 18 programmes today, but my priority is Tuluvera Minadana as I wanted to be a part of this culture. We are all going to die one day. When we are born, we don’t know which religion we belong to; religion is manmade, so let’s live in harmony and brotherhood.”
Kadri Navaneeth Shetty, former member, Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy, said, “All who speak Tulu, irrespective of being Hindu, Muslim, or Christian, are Tulu people. The stage arrangement today refreshes our memories of the tools used by our ancestors. We all know our ancestors were ready to face any challenge and the same is the case with Padu today. We all know that yesterday thundershowers poured down on us and all the arrangements were washed out. In spite of all the challenges, Vigneshwara Graminabivraddi Seva Samiti Padu worked hard to build it again today and this effort needs to be applauded.”
Omayya Madivala and Mohini were honoured for their ceaseless contribution to cultivation till date.
Shrinivas Deshpande, chief manager, Karnataka Bank, Lancy Pais, president, Neermarga Gram Panchayat, Vishwanath Poojari, Padmanaba Kotiaan, owner B L P and Sons, Kunjanna Shetty, Boja Poojari, Niranjaya K, T Nagendra Rao, and Raghava were present on the occasion.
Various competitions were held throughout the day like ‘Tonka Ota’, ‘Jigita’, ‘Mute Hothu Ota’, ‘Hagga-Jaggata’, and ‘Dura Esetha’ for both men and women.
A food fest was also arranged with various food items like ‘Kori Rotti’, ‘Marvayi Pundi’, ‘Semedadye Korisaar’, fish Tava fry, ‘Idly-Sambar’, and besides this 52 different food items were also displayed for the people.
Sharath Shetty compered the programme and Gokul Das Shetty delivered the vote of thanks.
The closing ceremony was presided over by Giridhar Shetty, Sagar Infrastructure, Bejai, and Dinesh Holla, convener, Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya. Prize distribution was by Mohandas Shetty Padupalli, Das Associates, Vamanjoor, and other guests were present.